from these networks. In the following two sections, we turn to a more detailed examination of
evidence from blogging and blocking efforts around key periods such as elections.
Securing and Filtering Blogs
As tools of individual self-expression, blogs and blogging have important implications for civic
networks, resistance networks, and even some dark nets.
27 First, blogs can provide a source
of independent and alternative news from traditional mainstream media. This is especially
important in light of the fact that many countries in the world strictly control traditional print
and broadcast media, but it is also relevant to areas of the world where such controls are
absent. In the United States, for example, the relationship between blogging and traditional
forms of journalism has been prominently debated. In nondemocratic and repressive countries, blogging can provide a window into events and issues not covered by the mainstream
or government-controlled media. Not surprisingly, many dissidents and activists have been
attracted to blogging.
Second, blogging can provide an easy tool for individuals and organizations to disseminate
information to a global constituency, that is, for coordination and organizational purposes. In
this respect, blogging does not differ fundamentally from traditional Web sites, which also provide the means to publicize information worldwide. Rather, what makes blogs unique is the
ease of posting and syndication. Individuals who have no expertise in computer programming
and HTML editing can very easily update their blogs, opening Web publication to a wide audience. Additionally, those living in regions of the world with low-bandwidth connections to the
Internet can more easily edit blogs than Web sites. Indeed, new technologies allow people to
update their blogs using only cell phone text messages.
Third, blogs can provide NGOs and other groups with a new means to attract support for
their organizations, particularly in the area of fund-raising and recruiting. Civil society networks
continually struggle to get their message out, and often have a difficult time penetrating the
mainstream media, particularly regarding their successes. Potential donors and supporters can acquire, through the window of blogging, a sense of immediacy and detailed understanding of the nature and operations of collective activities direct from the source and the
field.
However, blogs and blogging do not come without potential negative implications. Because
blogging can threaten state control of media, and have become a popular tool of dissidents,
militants, and activists, bloggers can find themselves the object of threats, physical violence,
and arrests. As shown below, blogging has become a focus of attention by authorities in nondemocratic and repressive regimes, with many bloggers being silenced through arrest or intimidation. Additionally, states that filter Internet communications are beginning to target blogs
with increasingly refined forms of censorship, including parsing through entries and removing
objectionable keywords and phrases.
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Ronald Deibert and Rafal Rohozinski
evidence from blogging and blocking efforts around key periods such as elections.
Securing and Filtering Blogs
As tools of individual self-expression, blogs and blogging have important implications for civic
networks, resistance networks, and even some dark nets.
27 First, blogs can provide a source
of independent and alternative news from traditional mainstream media. This is especially
important in light of the fact that many countries in the world strictly control traditional print
and broadcast media, but it is also relevant to areas of the world where such controls are
absent. In the United States, for example, the relationship between blogging and traditional
forms of journalism has been prominently debated. In nondemocratic and repressive countries, blogging can provide a window into events and issues not covered by the mainstream
or government-controlled media. Not surprisingly, many dissidents and activists have been
attracted to blogging.
Second, blogging can provide an easy tool for individuals and organizations to disseminate
information to a global constituency, that is, for coordination and organizational purposes. In
this respect, blogging does not differ fundamentally from traditional Web sites, which also provide the means to publicize information worldwide. Rather, what makes blogs unique is the
ease of posting and syndication. Individuals who have no expertise in computer programming
and HTML editing can very easily update their blogs, opening Web publication to a wide audience. Additionally, those living in regions of the world with low-bandwidth connections to the
Internet can more easily edit blogs than Web sites. Indeed, new technologies allow people to
update their blogs using only cell phone text messages.
Third, blogs can provide NGOs and other groups with a new means to attract support for
their organizations, particularly in the area of fund-raising and recruiting. Civil society networks
continually struggle to get their message out, and often have a difficult time penetrating the
mainstream media, particularly regarding their successes. Potential donors and supporters can acquire, through the window of blogging, a sense of immediacy and detailed understanding of the nature and operations of collective activities direct from the source and the
field.
However, blogs and blogging do not come without potential negative implications. Because
blogging can threaten state control of media, and have become a popular tool of dissidents,
militants, and activists, bloggers can find themselves the object of threats, physical violence,
and arrests. As shown below, blogging has become a focus of attention by authorities in nondemocratic and repressive regimes, with many bloggers being silenced through arrest or intimidation. Additionally, states that filter Internet communications are beginning to target blogs
with increasingly refined forms of censorship, including parsing through entries and removing
objectionable keywords and phrases.
136
Ronald Deibert and Rafal Rohozinski